title: Vitamin A potency of carrot and spinach carotenes in human metabolic studies.
abstract: Changes in plasma retinol and carotenoids was measured in 17 young males after daily ingestion of grated carrots, carrot juice or spinach leaves for 2 weeks. Regression equations showed that the supply of 3350 and 4750 micrograms carotenes from 78 ml carrot juice (prepared from 185 g carrots) or 91 g grated carrots, respectively were adequate in maintaining plasma retinol at a constant level in subjects with initial plasma retinol of 1.2 mumol/l. Under similar experimental conditions, 280 g boiled spinach leaves providing 12,700 micrograms carotenes were required to maintain plasma retinol at a constant level. Apparent carotene digestibilities of 47 and 81% were obtained with carrot and spinach, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, National Research Center, Giza, Dokki, Egypt.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: el-Tohamy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004435:Eating; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014675:Vegetables; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids